Water Conditioning
Babies are not born with a fear of water, it is something that they develop over time. Teaching your child to love and understand the water means that it will become an enjoyable experience, rather than one to fear.
Bath-time is the perfect opportunity for parents to bond with their newborn, but also provides an occasion to help your baby develop an affinity with the water, and give them the basic water safety skills that may one day save their lives.
Laurie’s latest DVD is a revolutionary step in preventing water-related deaths and injuries. _Teach Your Baby To Swim _teaches parents of babies of just 0-4 months how to begin basic water conditioning with their baby right from day one. Below is an outline of Laurie’s tips, but for full instructional guidance, please see the new DVD in stores now (RRP $19.95).
Please remember when carrying out all water conditioning exercises, your baby should always be comfortable and happy, with their full attention on you, to avoid any risk of inhaling water or becoming fearful of the water.
If you are a Huggies Club member you can purchase a copy of Laurie’s DVD at the specially discounted price of $17.96.
Pre-conditioning in the bath
Conditioning your baby to water eliminates fear and promotes a natural affinity with the water. But before starting, remember:
- Take the phone off the hook
- Keep water warm
- Keep bath-time fun and stimulating
- Stop if baby cries
- Never leave baby unsupervised in bath
Remember: Babies communicate by crying so never commence or continue conditioning if your baby cries.
Getting started:
- Make sure you have baby’s attention – look them in the eyes.
- Remain calm, patient and relaxed.
- When baby is totally relaxed, sit them upright and maintain their attention.
- Use conditioning trigger words – “Ready, jack, go” – keeping them rhythmical and constant.
- Pour a small glass of water over baby’s head, smoothly and evenly, for 1-2 seconds.
- Always praise your baby after each repetition.
- Gauge your baby’s reaction and repeat if they are comfortable.
- Repeat step a few times each bath-time, leaving a break in between if baby becomes unsettled.
This technique can be used until your baby reaches 2-3 months old. If they are comfortable and happy with the conditioning process, you may want to try partial submersion in a bath or clean, heated pool.
Baby’s first submersion
When you are confident that your baby is happy with water being poured over their face, and they show no discomfort or alarm, they may be ready to move onto partial submersion. Remember, only submerge baby in a clean, warm water environment and keep the experience fun and stimulating for baby.
- Revise the conditioning process 3 or 4 times to confirm they are comfortable with the process.
- Support baby under torso so they are floating on their front, facing you.
- Get baby’s full attention – look them in the eyes.
- Use same trigger words “ready, jack, go”.
- Slowly lower face below water and draw them toward you. Only keep submerged for a few seconds.
- Praise baby.
At 12 weeks, when baby is totally comfortable with submersion, try allowing baby to float briefly underwater, from one person to another (no more than 2-3 seconds).
For more information see Learn to swim or Parenting .
